Hiketeia Of Ancient Greece

Pausanias, Assius, Homer and others speak about it.

Lyceon (from Lyceo = bright) was son of Pelasgus. He built the city of Lycosoura at the mountain Lyceo. Lycosoura was considered the first city ever built. In the Kretea region of the mountain Lyceo it was believed by some, Zeus was born and raised. In the top of the mountain there was an altar for sacrifices. It is said even people were sacrificed there. Lyceon did sacrifice a child once and was turned into a wolf (therefore Lycos = Wolf).

There was also an altar of Zeus where it was believed matter lost its shadow and projected light. The animals there were protected by the gods and mortals were not allowed to enter. Pausanias says it was a holy zone where Pleostoanax, king of Sparta found protection along with the Messinian refuges. An inscription was found in the area that records a place called Heketeia (Ικετεία) which means "protection from the gods". Basically the animals that were supposed to be protected were the humans, who whenever seeked protection could enter the altar.

Originally posted by snowybeagle So, is the Ικετεία something that was bound to sacred grounds or to the gods?

It was holy ground where you were protected by the gods. That's what the word means "protection by the gods".